Binding dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A device for facilitating the efficient and even quilt binding finishing is described. The device comprises: a base member, rod member and spool member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/751,025, filed on 10 Jan. 2013, and entitled “BINDING DISPENSINGDEVICE,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the art of quilting, themanufacture of quilts and sewing aids. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a device for dispensing finishing binding andmethods of use for binding the unfinished edges of a quilt.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The art of quilting has been practiced for a very long time. Quiltingprobably originated in ancient Egypt and China, but it was not until themid-nineteenth century that quilting began to be practiced more widelythroughout Europe and America. The increased availability ofmanufactured textiles together with the advent of the sewing machineenabled a greater number of quilters to engage in the art. It is now apastime that is now enjoyed by many.

A quilt is typically made of three layers. The top layer is, forexample, piecework or appliqué, typically of an artistic design. Themiddle layer is a layer of stuffing known as “batting” and is used forwarmth. The bottom layer is generally one large layer of fabric.Quilting adds depth and a secondary design to the quilt top. Finishingbias or binding can be now sewn completely by machine, but many stillprefer to hand stitch the folded end of the finishing bias or binding tothe quilt.

Over the years, markets have developed for hand-made quilts, butstitching together three layers and binding them by hand requires aninordinate amount of time. The increase in popularity of the art ofquilting and commercial markets has created a demand for quicker,easier, and more efficient options for finishing quilts.

A favored technique for finishing quilts is to bind the edges. Thismeans finishing off the edges of the quilt to cover and protect theouter edges. There are multiple types of binding, such as, straightgrain binding, cross grain binding, bias binding, and double- andsingle-fold binding. Each of these binding types achieves the same goal;binding and finishing the edges of a quilt or other textile.

Currently, for the operation of binding a quilt, binding is placed inthe lap of or on a table adjacent to the individual binding the quilt.Other times, loose binding may be found on the floor, possibly tangled.In either case, the loose binding has drag that increases the difficultyand inefficiency of performing the operation of attaching binding to aquilt.

Although binding is widely used in quilting, an alternative simpler andmore efficient way of containing and feeding binding to the quilter hasnot been suggested in the prior art. The development of a new bindingdispensing device that constrains the binding material and evenly feedssaid material to the quilter would be a valuable tool for binding andfinishing textile edges, including for example, for use in moreefficiently and effectively finishing quilts. The present inventionincludes a novel device and method of use thereof for use in the craftof quilting.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the existing drawbacks and prior art byproviding for a device that is made up of readily assembled components,or alternatively, a unitary body, that provides an efficient and simplemanner for binding organization and controlled, e.g., even, feeding ofbinding for use in completing a quilt. The invention is based on a novelconcept for maintaining and feeding binding to a user, for example, aquilter.

Broadly, the present invention contemplates a device for the containmentand feeding of finishing binding for a quilt, comprising a base member,a rod member extending therefrom, and a spool member. The rod and basemay be a unitary body or integrally combining components, upon which aspool having an aperture therethrough is moveably and rotatably mounted.Alternatively, the rod and spool may be a unitary body that is movablyand rotatably mounted to the base member. When practiced as disclosedherein, the present invention provides a standalone device for theefficient containment, organization, and feeding of textile binding. Thepresent invention, thus, is useful as disclosed above, but is notintended to be limited to these uses.

Accordingly, when the components comprising the present invention areengaged, the resulting device provides for the efficient feeding oftextile binding for edge finishing of, for example, a quilt. The devicealso provides a convenient storage device for wound binding.

One embodiment of the device of the present invention comprises: a basemember, a rod member extending therefrom, and a spool member removablyand rotatably mounted about the rod member upon which, e.g., binding maybe wound. In another embodiment of the present invention comprises: arod and base unitary member for supporting a spool member, wherein thespool is removably and rotatably mounted on the rod portion of theunitary member. In another embodiment of the present invention, a rodand spool comprise a unitary body and are removably and rotatablymounted to the base member via the distal end of the rod portion of theunitary member.

In some of the embodiments, at least one rod member is removably mountedto a base member, wherein said rod member is inserted into a base memberbore and thereby frictionally secured to the base member.

In another embodiment, at least one rod member is removably mounted to abase member wherein said rod member comprises an axial screw stud at theend proximal to the base member, wherein the rod member is joined to thebase member by means of a locking nut or the like connection in the basemember.

In some embodiments, the base member further comprises a rotationalplatform integrally combined therewith, and a plurality of rod membersare removably mounted to the base member rotational platform.

In some embodiments, the present invention further comprises: a driving,breaking, metering, or ratcheting system to control the speed at whichbinding is dispensed by the instant invention. In some embodiments, aspool member is statically affixed to, or alternatively a unitary bodywith, the rod member that is joined to the base member, and a driving,breaking, metering, or ratcheting system know in the art is functionallydisposed between the rod member and base member thereby creating controlvia rotation and/or rotational resistance. Alternatively, said driving,breaking, metering, or ratcheting system may be mounted internally in ahollow base member. Said embodiment may be manually driven or automated,e.g., by using foot pedal(s), switching mechanisms, toggle switches, andthe like, known in the art.

The presently described device is particularly useful for bindingquilts, but may be used or adapted for use with any number of textilesin which an edge or a binding may be useful.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to usedevice for efficiently and effectively binding textile edges. It isanother object of the present invention to provide a device that isrelatively simple structurally, and thus, simple to manufacture, andeasily assembled and disassembled for use and/or storage.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention comprise the same generalelements: a base member, at least one rod member, and at least one spoolmember. The present invention may further include a drive mechanism, aratchet mechanism, a break mechanism, a switch mechanism, or othermechanical components. These and other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will be apparent from the drawings, the detaileddescription, and the appended claims. The above listing of objects ofthe invention should not be deemed as all-inclusive in any mannerwhatsoever.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled embodiment of the deviceof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the top-face of a base member of anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isolated view of a rod member of an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an isolated side perspective view of a spool member of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is an isolated end perspective view of a spool member having andaperture there through, said aperture employed for disposing the spoolmember on and rotatably about a rod member;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom-face of a base memberof an embodiment of the invention having non-skid elementssemi-permanently attached thereto;

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a basemember of the invention having a plurality of concentric depressions andbase member bores; rod member and spool member functionality remains thesame as in a single function embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a basemember of the invention having a plurality of concentric depressions andbase member bores on a platform, said platform mounted on or integrallyincorporated into the base member in a rotating “lazy-Susan” platformstyle; rod member and spool member functionality remain the same as in asingle function, non-rotating embodiment of the invention.

Elements and facts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andhave not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequenceor embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art canappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

Aspects and applications of the invention presented here are describedin the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unlessspecifically noted, it is intended that that the words and phrases inthe specification and the claims be given their plain ordinary andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.Accordingly, various implementations may be very broadly adopted andapplicable.

The term “quilt” as used herein, generically includes any covering ofthe quilt type. That is, those skilled in the art would specificallycall by the name quilt, or by any at least partly analogous term such asblanket, comforter, coverlet, lap robe, afghan, bedsheet, bedspread,futon, duvet, sleeping bag, or the like. Certainly, one skilled in theart is aware that the present invention is also applicable toconventional textile production, for example, pillow covers, mattresscovers, and the like, as well as other textiles.

The general process for making a quilt is known to those skilled in theart. The present invention adds to the concept and overcome(s) theshortcomings of the prior art.

According to one embodiment, the invention is directed to a deviceconfigured to enhance the efficiency and ease of binding, for example, aquilt. In one embodiment, there is a base member with a rod memberextending therefrom, and a spool member disposed on and rotatablymounted about the rod member, such that the spool has the capability offreely spinning when engaged. Binding material is placed on the spool,for example, wound onto the spool member, and manually engaged by aquilter. Alternatively to manual engagement, a drive system may beincorporated into the embodiment.

What is meant by “spool” herein is a low-flanged or unflanged cylinderhaving a longitudinal aperture therethrough, on which binding, thread,wire, tape, or the like, may be wound for the purpose of, e.g.,maintenance, distribution, and/or use.

As used herein, “rod” means a solid or hollow cylindrical dowel or rodused as a support for the spool member and about which the spool memberrotates, either freely or metered. Alternatively, a rod and spool membermay be a unitary member without spool rotational capability, saidunitary member rotatably mounted to the base member of the presentinvention, for example, by inserting into a base member bore. A basemember bore is a cylindrical hole or hollow constructed to receive andfrictionally engage with a rod member of the instant invention.

The invention may be used either alone or in combination with otherquilting, sewing, or the like, conveniences. One skilled in the art willreadily recognize that the disclosed device and methods of the presentinvention can be readily incorporated into one of the establishedformats for binding and the like that are well known in the art.

Broadly, the present invention is comprised of a base member, e.g., ablock, configured such that a rod member may be inserted into andsecured thereto, and extend perpendicularly therefrom, and upon which aspool member may be mounted such that the spool freely rotates about therod member. Alternatively, the base and rod member may be constructed ofa unitary body providing a rod member upon which the spool may berotatably mounted. Another alternative embodiment comprises a unitaryrod and spool member inserted and rotatably mounted on the base member.

The device of the present invention offers significant advantages overthe prior art, including but not limited to: efficient containment andfeeding of binding for the finishing of a textile, for example, a quilt.

Each of the member components of the present invention may beconstructed of any number of materials. The choice of materials utilizedfor construction may be based upon, for example, aesthetics, weight,strength, flexibility, intended use, cost, ease of manufacturing, orother desirable attributes. Examples of materials include, but are notlimited to, wood, acrylic, plastic, fiberglass, rubber, metal, steel,steel alloy, ceramic, glass, polymers, composites, and combinationsthereof, or the like, and composites thereof. The base member may beconstructed in any shape, for example having at least one surface in theshape of, e.g., square, rectangle, triangle, oval, circle, provided thechosen shape dose not negatively alter the functionality of the base. Inbroad terms, a base member is a symmetrical or asymmetricalthree-dimensional shape, either solid or hollow, defined by six equal orunequal sides. Additionally, a base member may be egg- or ball-shaped,or the like, with a flat bottom-face. The functionality of the base isto stabilize and/or steady the present invention while in use. The rodmember may be centrally mounted or offset on the base member, providedthe balance of the device as a whole is not impaired by saidpositioning. The present invention may be used in conjunction with handsewing technique or machine sewing.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an embodiment of thedevice of the present invention, generally indicated by the referencenumeral 100, showing an embodiment of the base member 110, rod member120, and spool member 130, functionally assembled. To assemble anillustrative embodiment of the instant invention, the rod member 120 isinserted into and frictionally secured within a base member bore 160. Aspool member 130 having a longitudinal aperture 200 therethrough, eitherempty or having been loaded with binding material, is rotatably mountedonto the rod member 120 by inserting the rod member 120 through theaperture 200. In use, the instant invention is placed near to the useror user's sewing machine in a position comfortable to said user. Thedevice may be set on, e.g., a sewing table, side table, or floor, oralternatively, it may be semi-permanently attached thereto viasemi-permanent attachment means known in the art. A stand alone deviceof the present invention facilitates portability between locations. Oncebinding is wound onto the spool, and placed in close proximity to theuser, the user may begin binding the quilt. One skilled in the art ofbinding textiles is familiar with detailed binding techniques. Briefly,beginning approximately ten inches from any corner of a quilt, using aquarter inch sewing foot the user places the binding on the edge of thequilt, sews all layers together around the entire edge of the quilt in acontinuous manner. When sewing, the binding unrolls from the spool andfacilitates simple and efficient binding to the quilt without drag,unless drag is purposely created in the embodiment of the invention.

The base member 110 is constructed of a material providing sufficientweight to support the device, or alternatively may be weighted bygenerally accepted means known to those skilled in the art in any of themany manners known to add weight and/or lower the center of gravity indevice construction. When assembled, the rod member 120 extends from thebase member 110, for example, vertically and perpendicularly to the basemember 110. In alternative embodiments, the rod member 120 may extendfrom the base member 110 at any angle between 1 degree and 90 degreesrelative to the base member 110, provided the angle at which the rodmember 120 is disposed does not interfere with the functionality of thedevice. The spool member 130 is rotatably disposed about the proximateend of rod member 120 to the base member, and freely seated in aconcentric depression 150 in the base member. A retaining member 180 maybe fitted to and mounted on the distal end of the rod member 120 toprevent disengagement of the spool member, as shown in FIG. 3.

The top-face 140 of the base member 110, as shown in FIG. 2, has atleast one concentric depression 150 therein into which the spool member130 seats and may rotate, said concentric depression 150 steadying therotation of the spool member 130 while in motion without producingrotational drag, and said concentric depression 150 having a depth of atleast 0.03 inches. In some embodiments, an additional component, awasher member 210, may be mounted into the concentric depression 150 tofurther reduce natural friction and facilitate rotation of the spoolmember 130. Said washer member 210 is a flat annulus or ring and may beemployed in the present invention to spread the load of weight from thespool member 130, and/or adjust the diameter of the base member bore 160thereby stabilizing the rod member 120, and may be comprised of plain,coated, bonded, or plated metallic or non-metallic material, e.g.,steel, alloys, plastic, silicone, rubber, or any material useful for itsintended purpose. In some embodiments, a plurality of sequentiallysmaller concentric depressions, each having a greater depth than theprevious, corresponding to multiple spool member standard sizes may bemanufactured into the face of the base member 110. Concentricdepression(s) may be constructed by carving, lathing, injection molding,or any acceptable manufacturing method appropriate for the constructionmaterials of a certain embodiment of the present invention. Analternative embodiment may substitute a raised concentric lip in placeof a concentric depression.

Centrally positioned within the concentric depression 150 is a basemember bore 160 corresponding in size sufficiently to receive a rodmember 120 and into which a rod member 120 may be inserted. Said boremay vary in depth from about 0.03 inches to the entire height of thebase member 110. The necessary depth of said base member bore 160 may bedetermined by one skilled in the art, manufactured in sufficient depthcorresponding to a certain embodiment in order to appropriately engageand/or secure a rod member, without undue experimentation. Additionally,one or more O-rings, e.g., rubber, silicone, or the like, may be fittedand placed onto a rod member 120 in order to alter its diameter andsecure it within the base member bore 160, or alternately, a spoolmember aperture 200. By these and other means, multiple sized spoolmembers 130 may be utilized with multiple sized rod members 120 in asingle base member 110. Optionally, a base member 110 may havesemi-permanently mounted on or integrally formed from the bottom face170 thereof at least one non-skid element 180, e.g., multiple bumpers,non-skid material, non-skid surface, or the like, as shown in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 3 a retaining member 180 is shown in relation to the distal endof a rod member 120. Said retaining member 180 prevents the spool member130 or a plurality of stacked spool members from moving beyond thedistal end of the rod member 120 and potentially disengaging with thedevice 100. Said retaining member 180 may be constructed of any materialappropriate for the certain embodiment of the invention, and further maybe embellished from a surface or shape perspective for aesthetic and/orcustomization purposes without altering its utility. A rod member 120 isof sufficient length to engage with at least one standard B spool, ormay be elongated such that the length of the rod member 120 is capableof holding a plurality of mounted spool members 130 simultaneously.Meeting the simplicity objective of the present invention then, spoolmembers 130 are, thus, easily interchangeable, and users may choose frommultiple, pre-wound, bindings.

The basic form of a spool member 130 intended for use with the device isshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Commercially produced spools are available inmyriad standard shapes and sizes, all of which have the capacity tocarry a wound material, e.g., binding. With minor adjustments known tothose in the art of device manufacture, non-standard and custom spoolsmay also be employed with the instant invention. Spool members 130 havea longitudinal aperture 200 there through, said aperture 200 employedfor disposing the spool member on and rotatably about the rod member120. The spool aperture 200 is sized, depending upon the embodiment ofthe invention, such that it is at least of a diameter to fit over therod and move in a spinning motion freely.

An illustrative preferred embodiment of the present invention includes asquare top- and bottom-faced base member having height, width, andlength dimension ranges including approximately 1.0-12.0 inchesW×1.0-12.0 inches L×0.5-12.0 inches H, preferably approximately 1.0-6.0inches W×1.0-6.0 inches L×0.5-3.5 inches H, and more preferablyapproximately 3.75 inches W×3.75 inches L×0.875 inches H. The concentricdepression 150 is, for example, lathed into the top face at a depthranging from approximately 0.03-12.0 inches, preferably fromapproximately 0.25-6.0 inches, and more preferably from approximately0.25-0.875 inches in depth. A base member bore 160 having a depth rangeof approximately 0.03-12.0 inches, preferably approximately 0.25-6.0inches, and more preferably approximately 0.25-0.875 inches is drilledinto the center of the concentric depression 150 into which a rod member120 is inserted and removably and frictionally secured. A standard sizedspool member 130, for example a 2 oz., 2.25 inch diameter, standard Bspool, having an aperture therethrough is moveably disposed about therod, and seated in the concentric depression 150. The base member 110may be, for example, wood, unfinished or finished by priming andpainting, and may further comprise non-skid elements 180, e.g., bumpers,semi-permanently attached to the bottom-face 170 thereof, wherein saidnon-skid elements 180 stabilize the device and prevent movement duringuse of the device 100.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, base members 110 of the instant inventionare shown comprising a plurality of concentric depressions 150 andcorresponding base member bores 160 each for engaging a rod member 120and thereby mounting multiple spool members 130 laterally in relation toeach other, and/or vertically with the use of elongated rod members 120.In FIG. 8 is shown a configuration of the instant invention wherein aplate member 190 comprising a plurality of concentric depressions 150and corresponding base member bores 160 each for engaging a rod member120 and thereby mounting multiple spool members is rotationally mountedon, in, or flush to the base member 110 in the fashion of a lazy-Susan,wherein a user may rotate the circular member 190 for access to adesired spool member 130. In each of these embodiments, thefunctionality of each of the individual base member 110, rod member 120and spool member 130 and their respective relationships therebetween isessentially the equivalent as an the embodiment comprising a single basemember 110, rod member 120 and spool member 130 described herein. Ineach of these embodiments, each attribute and combinations thereofdescribed herein may be selectively incorporated therein or excludedtherefrom.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a base member 110wherein said base member has an sufficient height, e.g., greater than1.5″, and/or weight such that the base member 110 may be functionallycombined with a unitary rod and spool member without raising thedevice's center of gravity to a level of instability of the device. Abase member 110 may be constructed of a material providing sufficientadditional weight to support the embodiment of the device, oralternatively may be weighted by generally accepted means known to thoseskilled in the art in any of the many manners known to add weight and/orlower a center of gravity in device construction.

One skilled in the art of device construction and basic mechanics couldmake any number of embodiments and/or adjustments thereto based onelements such as, size, construction material, weight, etc., withoutundue experimentation.

Having herein set forth various embodiment of the present invention, itis anticipated that suitable modification can be made thereto which willnonetheless remain within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for dispensing textile binding,comprising: a base member, at least one rod member, and at least onespool member, wherein said base member comprises at least one means forremovably mounting said at least one rod member; wherein, said at leastone rod member is removably attached to said base member; and, whereinsaid at least one spool member is rotatably mounted on said at least onerod member.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an axial screwstud on said rod member proximal to said base member, and a lockingmeans incorporated into said base member, wherein said rod member andbase member engage.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: awasher member, said washer member disposed about said rod memberpositioned between said base member and said spool member.
 4. The deviceof claim 2, further comprising: a washer member, said washer memberdisposed about said rod member and positioned between said base memberand said spool member.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: arotational platform integrally combined into the base member, saidplatform comprising a plurality of means for removably mounting aplurality of rod members.
 6. The device of claim 2, further comprising:a rotational platform integrally combined into the base member, saidplatform comprising a plurality of means for removably mounting aplurality of rod members.
 7. The device of claim 3, further comprising:further comprising a rotational platform integrally combined into thebase member, said platform comprising a plurality of means for removablymounting a plurality of rod members.
 8. The device of claim 1, whereinthe device is constructed of materials chosen from the group consistingof wood, acrylic, plastic, fiberglass, rubber, metal, steel, steelalloy, ceramic, glass, polymers, composites, and combinations thereof.9. The device of claim 2, wherein the device is constructed of materialschosen from the group consisting of wood, acrylic, plastic, fiberglass,rubber, metal, steel, steel alloy, ceramic, glass, polymers, composites,and combinations thereof.
 10. The device of claim 3, wherein the deviceis constructed of materials chosen from the group consisting of wood,acrylic, plastic, fiberglass, rubber, metal, steel, steel alloy,ceramic, glass, polymers, composites, and combinations thereof.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising: a driving, breaking, metering, orratcheting system functionally disposed between said base member andsaid rod member.
 12. The device of claim 2, further comprising: adriving, breaking, metering, or ratcheting system functionally disposedbetween said base member and said rod member.
 13. The device of claim 3,further comprising: a driving, breaking, metering, or ratcheting systemfunctionally disposed between said base member and said rod member. 14.The device of claim 1, further comprising: a driving, breaking,metering, or ratcheting system functionally disposed between said rodmember and said spool member.
 15. The device of claim 2, furthercomprising: a driving, breaking, metering, or ratcheting systemfunctionally disposed between said rod member and said spool member. 16.The device of claim 3, further comprising: a driving, breaking,metering, or ratcheting system functionally disposed between said rodmember and said spool member.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein saidbase member and said rod member are a unitary member.
 18. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said rod member and said spool member are a unitarymember.